title: [Self-reported health status and drug use among the elderly].
abstract: A random sample of 1,261 non-institutionalised persons aged 70-95 years in four Danish communes replied to questionnaires on health, functional ability, drug use, and living situation in October-November, 1986. Twenty-four % assess their health as excellent, 27%, 39% and 10% good, fair, or poor. Younger persons report better self-assessed health than older, males better than females irrespective of age. Chronic ailments are reported by 51%, most frequent hypertension (24%), heart disease (17%), and chronic bronchitis/asthma (12%). More females than males and more old than young report chronic ailments. Seventy-six % have experienced one or more physical symptoms during the past month, most frequently aching in back and hips (39%) aching in knee and feet (36%), vertigo (27%), swollen legs (25%), and headaches (19%). Fourty-six % report one or more mental symptoms during the past month, most frequently difficulties falling asleep (30%), fatigue without specific reason (21%), and depression (18%). Females report more symptoms than men, older persons report more symptoms than younger. Fourty-nine % report difficulties in hearing during conversations among several persons, 24% in conversations with one other person. Twenty-three % have difficulties reading printed text. Fifty-nine % report memory problems. Functional ability is described by 13 daily activities and 31% can perform all activities without trouble, 29% with some trouble but without help, whereas 13 and 27% need help for one, or more of these activities. More females than males and more older than younger need help.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Københavns Universitet, Institut for Social Medicin.
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Holstein
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Almind
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Due
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holst
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003718:Denmark; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
vernacular_title: Aeldres selvrapporterede helbred og laegemiddelforbrug.